All Wheel Drive Cobra?

[john chesnut]

I am always optimistic!!! I am using the C-5 diff with 3:42 gears. I am using the front diff out of the Astro van. It has the matching gear ratio, and is a small, all aluminum unit. I realize that the Astro diff is not a particularly strong unit but I only plan on running 440hp. Packaging in the short wheel base is a challenge! It is a little easier in my Dragon which has the stock 104.5 inch Corvette wheel base. I am finishing some projects for customers and trying to get my 2wd Cobra done for the One Lap race and then will get onto the AWD version. My 2wd Cobra is coming in at 1900lbs so I think that keeping the AWD under 2200 is possible. But well see.

[john chesnut]

I just weighed the AWD components. For any one that's interested the front diff weighs 61llbs, the transfer case, 72lbs, axles about 15lbs for the pair. Need to add the weight of the driveshaft and adapter to connect the tranny to the transfer case to the Corvette rear diff. (which weighs70lbs). There would not be a rear driveshaft, every part would bolt solidly together. If the packaging (intrusion into the cockpit) can be worked out, I think the total added weight will be about 200lbs.
I designed the front cradle of my chassis so that the front diff bolts in. This of course in not a solid axle front end. The diff is solidly mounted and the axles have CV joints and as already mentioned the C5 spindles accept the splined drive hubs.
I do believe that this would be the ultimate performing Cobra. It will be fun to see if it all works out.

[dlowman]

You figure the AWD subaru Sti's and the evo's run just a tick over 3100 lbs. I know the subies have alluminum engines. I think you would be hard pressed to keep the weight down

[Ronbo]

I had a Asto van (2wd) for many years loved it.

Little over a year ago I bought a '05 with AWD and I hate it. Vibration on take-off (which the owners manual says is normal) and the gas milage took about a 25% hit. Plus it's slower. Never again.

In theroy a driven wheel is more efficiant but the transfer case and second diff. will more than make up for that. There's only a handfull of AWD supercars in history, with good reason.

Not to mention I don't know anyone that makes a lift kit for Cobras...

[Asp302]

warren abs is allready in the land of ozz

[MT nester]

FIA289..
I mentioned a TC mitsu AWD setup in the arizona (my) forum and they (mostly) had a fit!!
I agree, the sound of any large CID V-8 is lovely.
My generation grew up on the rumpty-rump of too much cam overlap and its accompanying low speed intake mixture dilution problems.(we love rumpity rump)
The new fangled EFI reduces the rump so much and IR systems eleminate it completly and work better.
(we love the rump)
I think technology is the answer.
2.0 mitsu TC W/AWD& Mc pherson strut suspension.
I bet with a clean sheet and some carefull weight management ,A guy could build a "Cobra" under 1500 lbs with 350 hp&AWD.
(where is our rump)
Play a really loud recording of a "real" cobra while you were driving